A number of U.K. police forces will test the two Fords at high speeds.
Two new Fords with high performance are being tested by police forces across the United Kingdom. They are the Ranger Raptor (high-performance Ford) and the Focus ST (high-performance Ford). This will help them to join the police fleet.
A number of U.K. police forces will test the Ford performance vehicles, with South Wales Police being the first to use the cars. The vehicles were prepared in Essex by Ford’s Special Vehicle Preparation Team. They feature full police livery, including sirens and emergency lights.
Ford claims that the Ranger Raptor is designed for extreme off-roading and “may prove to have the potential to provide the ideal tool to reach some of the most remote areas in the U.K.” Ford claims the Raptor can be used as an off-road pursuit vehicle and has more than enough horsepower to keep up with criminals who are trying to escape across gravel, mud and sand. The Ranger Raptor’s performance numbers are not very impressive on paper. Although the Ranger Raptor’s 2-liter diesel engine can reach a top speed at 105 mph (169 km/h), it is slower than a mid-range VW Polo in straight lines, it has exceptional off-road capabilities. Fox shock absorbers, a Baja desert racing mode, and stronger bodywork are some of the features that make this car capable of surviving flying rocks. The Raptor can perform feats that are only possible in the Dakar Rally thanks to its large off-road tires and clever traction control.
The Focus ST wagon will be evaluated by police for its potential use as an off-road pursuit vehicle. This car is more suitable for on-street pursuits of criminals. It has a turbocharged gasoline engine with a top speed at 155 mph (250 km/h). The same engine that powers the 2.3-liter Mustang and the old Ford Focus RS is used to aid in this mission. It’s tuned to produce 276 horsepower instead of the 286 in the Euro-spec Mustang or the 345 hp under the hood the Focus RS. It’s still capable of achieving 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h), in less than six seconds. The two new recruits will be joining a long line Ford police vehicles that includes the Escort and Capri, Focus, and the Transit van. There are also police vehicles available in the country, including the Crown Victoria and F-150 Responder, as well as Interceptor SUV.
